In its use of complex, real-world problems to introduce concepts and motivate learning in an active and cooperative learning environment, problem-based learning is a powerful alternative to the passive lecture in introductory college science. Use of technology and multimedia instruction, focus on large classes, and use of interdisciplinary…

A three-year study investigated two areas of inquiry in the field of special education: (1) maintaining students with disabilities within general education kindergarten environment; and (2) impact of hypermedia software technology on the learning of kindergarten students. Results suggest that hypermedia pre-reading materials hold significant…

The Indiana Weather Project (IWP) investigated how the joint application of situated learning and constructivist theory might support elementary school students' understanding of weather systems. Results indicated significant cognitive gains during the multimedia weather unit. (SD)

Summarizes a two-week experiment where seventh graders researched and produced map products using both traditional and computer-assisted techniques. Quantitative results showed little difference in learning content between the groups but qualitative results suggested that students prefer the computers. Includes graphical analysis and tabular data.…

Discusses the role of school media specialists in teaching students to navigate information resources available through online systems. Highlights include database searching; use of the Internet; multimedia workstations; integrated learning systems; teaching library skills; authoring software; and teacher utilities. (two references) (LRW)

Discussion of growing diversity in learners' language and communication skills and increasing use of video in instruction focuses on the use of captioning in instructional video and the implications for educational and industrial training. Federal legislation that affects video courseware developers is reviewed, and the use of closed captioned…

In the current economic situation, most academic institutions would like to plan new courses to increase enrollment. Often, these changes do not follow with a proportional increase in cost or staff numbers to the institution. For cost-efficiency reasons, a reduction in student contact hours is most desirable, providing that this can maintain the…

The conference proceedings include the following papers: (1) The Arts Metaverse in Open Croquet: Exploring an Open Source 3-D Online Digital World (Ulrich Rauch and Tim Wang); (2) Beyond World of Warcraft: the Universe of MMOGs (Ruben R. Puentedura); (3) ClevelandPlus in Second Life (Wendy Shapiro, Lev Gonick, and Sue Shick); (4) Folksemantic:…

For the thirty-fourth year, the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented at the annual AECT Convention in Jacksonville, FL. A limited quantity of these Proceedings were printed and sold in both hardcopy and electronic…

This paper synthesizes speculation in the professional literature about the future impact of multimedia. Many experts believe that multimedia will soon become the major focus of entertainment dollars and time because its versatility gives it the potential to be a very powerful way to communicate ideas and search for information. In its current…

This volume is a compilation of chapters by faculty from a variety of disciplines demonstrating the use of different multimedia instruction techniques in order to enhance the higher education classroom experience for students. The book is divided into five parts: (1) General; (2) Multimedia; (3) Software; (4) Software/Hardware; and (5) the Web.…

This paper describes a project conducted in 1991-92, based on research conducted in 1986-87 that demonstrated the need for a telecommunications system with the capacity of integrated services digital networks (ISDN) that would allow for sound, vision, and integrated computer services. Called the Tri-Centre Project, it set out to explore, from the…

This book offers an updated look at the technologies affecting education--including the World Wide Web, wireless local area networks (LANs), multimedia, and videoconferencing--and demonstrates how those technologies can best be used in an educational setting. For each type of technology, the book assesses advantages and disadvantages, educational…

This collection of 12 papers addresses the application of various technologies to the education of students with learning disabilities. Also included is a CD-ROM version of the original text, which provides enhancements through digital editing such as hypertext and hypermedia links. The papers included are: (1) "Special Education Technology:…

Technology, directed to each of the parts that collectively give shape and direction to the school, should provide the critical mass necessary to realize the specifications for the New Designs for the Comprehensive High School project. Learners should have access to personal productivity tools that increase effectiveness and efficiency in the…